Sep, 2016

National Soccer Coaches Association Takes Concussion Safety Head On

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) today released the first interactive online course developed to educate soccer coaches on how to teach safer heading techniques. The course was unveiled today at a congressional briefing in Washington, D.C. hosted by Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Florida), co-chair of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.

The 30-minute course titled ‘Get aHEAD Safely in Soccer™ is available at no charge onNSCAA.com/heading with an NSCAA Diploma awarded upon completion. The course, featuring an introduction fromretired U.S. National Women’s team star Abby Wambach, illustrates specific techniques, exercises and practice activities that are available for coaches to download or print.

“Eliminating head injuries in soccer is likely impossible, but reducing exposure and enhancing player safety is not,” said Ian Barker, the NSCAA Director of Coaching Education, whose instruction in the course focuses on techniques, practice activities and preparations. “What’s important here is that coaches emphasize correct positioning and stance for executing safe, purposeful, and effective headers.”

This announcement follows a recent ruling by U.S. Soccer, the governing body of soccer in America, stating that as part of increased focus on player safety there should be no heading in games or practice for any players age 10 and under and a limited amount of heading for those ages 11 to 13.

“As players come into the 11 to 13 age group with limited heading exposure, coaches are seeking direction on how to best bring them up to speed safely,” said Lynn Berling-Manuel, Chief Executive Officer at the NSCAA. “We’re pleased to help lead this effort by partnering with leading health and industry experts to provide the trusted resources they need.”

In developing the course, the NSCAA worked together with the University of Delaware Concussion Research Laboratory. Where soccer technique leaves off, the science of strength and conditioning comes in with Dr. Tom Kaminski, an expert at the University of Delaware in the areas of kinesiolog and applied physiology.

“The foundation of preventing injury is through neck and core strengthening exercises,” said Dr. Kaminski. “When we teach 11 to 13 year olds how to unite their torso, neck and head, they will protect themselves from injury. You could say we prevent the ‘bobble head’ effect.”

Dr. Kaminski has been studying concussions in soccer for most of his career starting in 1998 with the University of Florida’s women’s soccer team. In more recent years he has been able to incorporate a new piece of monitoring technology to his research. The Smart Impact Monitor, developed by Triax Technologies, Inc., is essentially a headband with an embedded sensor designed to track head impacts in real-time. This measurement tool adds objectivity and documentation to the concussion management process and the teaching of heading in soccer.

“As the father of three boys who all play sports, I have long advocated on Capitol Hill to make youth sports safer for America’s children,” said Congressman Rooney. “While we all know it is impossible to eliminate all the risks of playing contact sports, educating coaches, players and parents is a key component in reducing such risks. This initiative is an innovative step to increase widespread awareness in how to properly head a soccer ball, to increase safety and decrease injury among players at all ages.”

Others who attended the Congressional Briefing include Hank Steinbrecher, a long time college coach, former player, NSCAA member, NSCAA Honor Award winner and former Secretary General of U.S. Soccer; and Louise Waxler, Executive Director of McLean (Va.) Youth Soccer and past president of the NSCAA.

“Most youth coaches don't know how to properly coach heading technique,” said Steinbrecher. “Based on some of the recent studies, I’m confident the course developed by the NSCAA will assist young players to enjoy the game safely for life.”

“As leaders of youth soccer organizations, we have a responsibility to our membership to ensure that our coaches are properly educated on every aspect of the game,” said Waxler. “The NSCAA has always been a leader in the area of soccer education at a global level and I will want every coach at McLean Youth Soccer to have this new NSCAA Diploma.”

About the NSCAA

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2016, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America was founded in 1941 and is based in Kansas City, Mo. It is a non-profit organization with the mission of advocating for, educating and serving soccer coaches to encourage excellence and elevate soccer in America.

The NSCAA is the world’s largest soccer coaches’ organization with members at every level of the game from professional and college to high school and youth. Benefits of membership are wide ranging including a national coaching education program, professional development resources, $1 million of general liability insurance, annual recognition for players and coaches with All-America and Coach of the Year awards, the annual NSCAA Convention, networking and mentor opportunities, Soccer Journalmagazine and more. To learn more, visit www.nscaa.com.